Good Measure Returned
When we give away our rights and surrender our wills, God rewards us with good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
K.P. Yohannan shares a personal story from his ministry in the late 1960s, where he faced a challenging situation with a broken vehicle and no money for repairs. When asked to sell his watch to buy new tires, he struggled but ultimately obeyed his leader and surrendered his will to God. This act of giving led to unexpected blessings, illustrating the principle that when we give, God returns to us in abundance. Yohannan emphasizes that this principle applies not only to material possessions but also to our rights and obedience to God. The message encourages believers to trust in God's provision when they give selflessly.
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In the late 1960s, I was on a ministry mobile team along with about 10 others. I remember one particular morning when we were stationed near the city of Jhansi in northwest India. Our leader called me to his side and said, "You know that we are stuck." I said, "I know." You see, our old vehicle, packed with crates of Bibles, tracts and personal belongings, had two flat tires, and we had no spares. We also had no money to buy new tires. My leader then told me, "You are the only one who has a watch. So why don't we sell your watch, and we can buy the needed tires?" At first I couldn't believe he would ask me to do something like this.
Though it was difficult for me to handle his request, I had been told, "Obey your leader." Honestly, it was a hard decision for me.
But I prayed about it, and God said, "Obey him." So even though I didn't like it, I took my watch and gave it to him. He smiled while I cried on the inside. The watch was sold, we bought the tires, and the team went happily along its way. I didn't remain without a watch. Actually it's amazing how many watches people have given me over the years. God has paid me back for my watch many times. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down . . . running over" (Luke 6:38). This verse is not just about money.
When we give away our rights and surrender our wills, when we give our obedience, our return is "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over."
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Obedience
- The Reward of Obedience
- The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
- Give and it will be given to you
- The principle applies to all areas of life
Key Quotes
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” — K.P. Yohannan
“Obey him” — K.P. Yohannan
“God has paid me back for my watch many times” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- We should surrender our wills and obey God's leading, even when it's difficult.
- We should trust that God will reward our obedience with good measure.
- We should apply the principle of sowing and reaping by giving away our time, talents, and resources, and trusting that God will give back to us in greater measure.